Clamping device.



H. G. GHRISTMAN.

CLAMPING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED 1113.1, 1912 1,128,585. Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

1H2 NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHUTG-LITHQ, WASHINGTON. D. c

HENRY G. 'CI-IRISTMAN, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

CLAMPING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

Application filed March 1, 1912. Serial No. 680,887.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY G. CHRIST- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Bend, in the county of St. Joseph and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamping Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a clamp for use in the construction of molds for concrete columns and other structural members, which is simple in form and operation, and which may be easily and quickly manipulated.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a clamp device which has a wide range of adjustability, so as to be readily adjusted for holding together members of molds of different sizes, the range of adjustability being limited only by the length of the binding member, which encircles the mold.

WVith the above and other objects in View the present invention consists of certain novel features of construction hereinafter more particularly described, pointed out in the app Jnded claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that minor changes of construction may be made without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention :Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the clamp lever in closed position, and the position of the chain or binding element in dotted lines when so closed. Fig. 2 is an edge view, partly in section; and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a mold showing the manner of applying the binding member and the clamp for drawing the same taut.

The clamp comprises a base member 1, provided on its side which rests against the mold to be bound together with pointed angular teeth or projections 2, which are driven or bite into the wooden mold members to anchor the clamp against slippage. The base is narrowed at one end to approximately one-half its width, and bifurcated to provide an open-ended slot 3, the opposite members 4c being provided with alining apertures 5, to receive a pin or bolt (not shown) passed through the end link of a chain A inserted in the slot to secure same to the base.

Extending laterally of and formed integral with the base, and at the lower edge thereof, is a plate 6 provided with a large circular aperture 7, adapted to receive the pivot member 8 of the lever 9, and thus pivotally connect the lever to base. By providing a pivot member for the lever on one side thereof only, the'latter does not interfere with the chain which encircles the mold sections from closely embracing the base, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, but also permits the pivot member to be made large and thereby providing a large bearing surface less liable to wear quickly, as well as providing a less wabbly connection, than would otherwise be the case by the use of a smaller pivot member.

The lever 9 is provided with a handle portion 10, over which a length of pipe (not shown) may be passed to obtain more leverage, as will be understood, and an openended slot 11, formed by the projecting member 12 and the handle portion. After passing the chain around the mold a link thereof is passed into the slot 11 with the adjoining link disposed crosswise of the slot, in this manner attaching or looking the chain to the lever with the proper length to allow the chain to have a binding force when the lever is moved from the position shown in dotted lines Fig. 1, to the position shown in full lines, the proper distance being determined by manipulating the lever and adjusting the chain, as is obvious. A rivet 142 is passed through an aperture at the pivotal point of the lever and through a washer 15 larger than the bearing aperture, and headed as shown for holdingthe lever in place. It is thus apparent that a chain of a given length will in connection with the form of operating lever illustrated and described, provide a clamping device which may be easily and quickly adjusted for varying sizes of molds, each link in the chain permitting a different adjustment.

The side bearing for the lever above explained also has the additional advantage, aside from its structural simplicity, of per mitting the chain, as it is drawn taut, to pass the pivotal center of the lever, as plainly shown in Fig. 1, thereby locking the lever against accidental displacement. When clamping the sides of a rectangular mold together, as illustrated in Fig. 3, filler blocks or cleats 13 having their greatest thickness at their centers, are placed between the mold sections and the binding chain, so as to prevent any slack inthe latter which may .be

due to too long a pull in a straight line,

around a vertically positioned mold.

Having thus described is claimed is: y

In a clamping device such as described the combination of a base plate having lugs extending upon one side thereof, said base being slanted from one side thereof toward the opposite side and terminating in a reduced extension, said extension being flush With one side of the base, a plate formed integrally upon said base and extending laterally therefrom, said plate being less in length than the length of the base and being provided With an enlarged opening, a sleeve disposed in said opening for rotation therein, a Washer engaging one end of the sleeve and adjacent portions of the my invention, What the plateand end of thesleeve, a fastening element passing through the lever, sleeve and Washer, the inner end of saidfastening element being flush with the inner side of the sleeve for preventing contact thereof With the flexible member, and the opposite end of the fastening. member being riveted against the outer side of the Washer for preventing its displacement and a finger provided upon the lever between the adjacent portions of the lateral plate and reduced extension, for engagementvvvith the v fastening element.

In testimony whereof I affix my. signature in presence of tWo Witnesses. s v

I HENRY G. CHRISTMAN. Witnesses:

L. M. HAMMoNnso MIDT, LELA W. (3001:.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for flve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

